Remember

In the biblical context, the concept of "remember" is deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The act of remembering is not merely a mental exercise but a call to action, obedience, and faithfulness. Throughout Scripture, God commands His people to remember His deeds, His laws, and His promises.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for remember, "zakar," often implies a call to action. For instance, in Deuteronomy 8:2 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "Remember the whole way by which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments." Here, remembering is tied to obedience and trust in God's provision.

The Passover is a significant event that God commanded the Israelites to remember annually. In Exodus 12:14 , God declares, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." This remembrance serves to reinforce the identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people and to remind them of His deliverance.

In the New Testament, the concept of remembering is also pivotal. Jesus, during the Last Supper, instructs His disciples to partake in the bread and wine in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19): "And He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'" This act of remembrance is central to Christian worship and serves as a continual reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant.

Reflect

The act of reflection in the Bible is closely associated with meditation, contemplation, and self-examination. It involves a thoughtful consideration of God's Word, His works, and one's own life in light of divine truth.

Psalm 1:2 highlights the importance of meditative reflection: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This verse underscores the blessedness of the individual who reflects on God's law, allowing it to shape their thoughts and actions.

In the New Testament, reflection is encouraged as a means of spiritual growth and maturity. James 1:23-25 uses the metaphor of a mirror to describe the process of self-examination: "For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does." Here, reflection is linked to action and transformation.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of reflection in 2 Corinthians 13:5 : "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" This call to self-examination encourages believers to reflect on their faith and relationship with Christ.

In summary, the biblical themes of remembering and reflecting are integral to the life of faith. Remembering God's past actions and promises fosters trust and obedience, while reflection on His Word and one's own life encourages spiritual growth and alignment with God's will.